Italy will be promoted in Turkey in 2010, envoy says

Italy and its culture will be promoted in Turkey in 2010, the Italian Embassy in Ankara said on Friday.

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs would organize various institutional, cultural and commercial activities in Turkey in 2010 to promote Italy and its culture.

The embassy said it aimed to boost perfect bilateral relations with almost 120 events, that would particularly take place in Istanbul and Ankara.

The Mediterranean city of Antalya, the northern city of Trabzon and the southeastern cities of Gaziantep and Kahramanmaras are some other cities where events will take place.

The project was launched with "Venice and Istanbul in Ottoman Era" exhibition opened at Istanbul's Sakip Sabanci Museum. The exhibition will stay open till February 28, 2010.

Businesspeople are expected to pay visits to Turkey, fairs and meetings are to take place within the scope of the project.

Also, Italian pizza chef Pasqualino Barbasso is expected to organize a gastronomy night.

Italian Ambassador to Turkey Carlo Marsili said that his country hoped to open Turkish-Italian University in the upcoming academic year.

Turkey is making preparations to celebrate 2012 as the "Year of Turkey in Italy."

/World Bulletin/